South Africa's Charl Schwartzel Wins Masters : NPR South Africa's Charl Schwartzel Wins Masters Embed Embed South Africa's Charl Schwartzel Wins Masters South Africa's Charl Schwartzel Wins Masters Embed Embed Heard on Morning Edition A 26-year-old South African finished strong at the Augusta National Golf Club Sunday and captured the 75th Masters with a 14-under 274. Charl Schwartzel ended the tournament two strokes ahead of Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day. Christine Brennan of USA Today talks to Steve Inskeep about the tournament. STEVE INSKEEP, host: Never have viewers of the Masters seen a finish quite like yesterday. The golf event began with a 21-year-old in the lead. He collapsed. And that part is normal. It's hard to keep the lead under pressure at the Masters. What was amazing was the charge from behind by Tiger Woods, and then several less-famous players sped right past Tiger. Christine Brennan, sports columnist for USA Today, joins us now from Augusta. Hi, Christine. Ms. CHRISTINE BRENNAN (Sports Columnist, USA Today): Hey, Steve. How are you? INSKEEP: I'm doing great.

It must've been hard to know where to stand on the golf course yesterday, there were so many players in contention at once. Ms. BRENNAN: It was crazy. We will remember it forever. And mostly we'll remember, Steve, for Charl Schwartzel - 26 years old from Johannesburg, South Africa. He birdied the final four nerve-wracking holes to win by two - 14 under par - over two Australians, Jason Day and Adam Scott. Never before, Steve, has a Masters champion done that, birdying the final four holes to win. He had been four off the lead coming into the final round. He chipped in for birdie on the first hole, creating one of those early Augusta roars, and then holed a sand wedge on the third hole. He was off and running on a crazy day when there were eight different players in all at tied or sharing the lead at one point or in it by themselves. Schwartzel was the steadiest - 16 greens he hit in regulation, putted like a demon. And a relative unknown, but he is the Masters champion.

INSKEEP: It's hard to explain for people who maybe haven't watched a lot of Masters how hard it is to do what Schwartzel did on those final holes. There're lots of lakes, ponds that you can hit into, water hazards. There's sand traps. I mean, you can birdie those holes, but there are lots of opportunities to screw up and blow the tournament and tons of players have. And to actually play each of those four holes flawlessly under pressure is pretty remarkable. Ms. BRENNAN: You know something, he did. Last year, he met with Jack Nicklaus, who has won a few of these green jackets. INSKEEP: Oh, yeah. Ms. BRENNAN: And he took notes on how Jack Nicklaus fought his way through the tournament. And that really paid off for Schwartzel yesterday. INSKEEP: Well, what did you make of Tiger Woods' performance? Ms. BRENNAN: There were two versions of Tiger yesterday - the one who shot five under par on the front nine. He's fist pumping, the putts were falling. And then the one who couldn't do much of anything on the back nine.

You know, since his personal troubles of 17 months ago, Steve, Tiger hasn't won a golf tournament. And that's still the case. He finished tied for fourth here. That's exactly the same as last year. For all his great play in those final, you know, in the first two hours on Sunday, it was wonderful afternoon theater, but he ended up losing by four strokes. And he really wasn't in the conversation the last hour, which, of course, that's not good news for Tiger Woods. INSKEEP: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, at some point it looked like he might be able to just kind of hang on and watch everybody else fade, but nobody faded. Ms. BRENNAN: Well, that's true. And Tiger needed that, because he hadn't played well on Saturday. And that's, you know, for Tiger he's been having these uneven rounds, where he'll play well one round and then he won't play well the next round. He hasn't been able to back it up. And yesterday we saw a little microcosm of that. He had the great front nine, but then couldn't back it up.

Again, too much inconsistency for a man who hasn't now won a major in almost three years. INSKEEP: So what does it mean that we have a Masters here that's won by a South African? Not the first South African by any means, but won by a South African and a bunch of other overseas players were right near the top. Ms. BRENNAN: It means for the first time since 1994, of all the four majors, the men's majors, not one of them is held by an American. And that's two South Africans on your scorecard, one German and one Northern Irishman. It means the game is global and that's terrific for the game of golf, but with Tiger Woods in a little bit of disarray trying to figure out his game, you wonder when the next American will step up. And so far we have not seen that. INSKEEP: And in just 10 seconds, can I mention, none of the foreign players seemed intimidated by Tiger Woods the way that players always used to be. Ms. BRENNAN: They always talk now, these young guys, about how they want to play against Tiger.

They learned from him, but they're more emboldened by the day when he does not win. INSKEEP: Christine, always a pleasure to talk with you. Ms. BRENNAN: Thanks, Steve. Take care. INSKEEP: Christine Brennan is a sports columnist for USA Today speaking from Augusta, Georgia. You're listening to MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Copyright © 2011 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at for further information. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc. , an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

Masters 2011: Charl Schwartzel wins dramatic Masters - BBC Sport BBC Sport Masters 2011: Charl Schwartzel wins dramatic Masters By Rob Hodgetts J Day (Aus), A Scott (Aus) -10: T Woods (US), G Ogilvy (Aus), L Donald (Eng) -9: J Rose (Eng), L Westwood (Eng) -4: I Poulter (Eng), P Mickelson (US) +1: P Casey (Eng) South Africa's Charl Schwartzel emerged from the pack to clinch his maiden major title on an absorbing final day at the 75th Masters. The 26-year-old fired a closing 66, including birdies on the last four holes, to reach 14 under and beat Australian duo Jason Day (68) and Adam Scott (67) by two shots at Augusta. American Tiger Woods (67), England's Luke Donald (69) and another Australian, Geoff Ogilvy (67), tied for fourth at 10 under with Argentina's 2009 champion Angel Cabrera (71) nine under.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, 21, who led for three rounds, collapsed on the back nine and carded a round of 80 to end four under. Schwartzel becomes the third South African to win the Masters on the 50th anniversary of Gary Player's breakthrough win for a non-American at Augusta. Player also won in 1974 and 1978, while Trevor Immelman triumphed in 2008. "It was such an exciting day, with all the roars," said Schwartzel. "The atmosphere was just incredible." His victory means that for the first time since 1994, none of the four majors are held by an American. He joins countryman Louis Oosthuizen, who won the Open last July, Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (US Open) and Germany's Martin Kaymer (US PGA). McIlroy was not ready to win a major Iain Carter's blog Schwartzel, who was tied 30th on his debut last year, is a six-time winner on the European Tour and climbs to 11th in the world rankings.

The Johannesburg-born player started the final day tied second with Cabrera on eight under, four strokes off McIlroy's overnight lead. But he made an electric start to the fourth round, chipping in from off the green for a birdie at the first and holing his second from the fairway for an eagle at the third hole to reach 11 under and share the lead with McIlroy, who bogeyed the first. However, Schwartzel slipped back to 10 under at the fourth, where he would remain until his final birdie barrage. McIlroy slipped further back at the fifth but recouped the stroke at the seventh and still led by one from Schwartzel, Cabrera, KJ Choi and Woods after the ninth. But when McIlroy endured a nightmare spell of triple-bogey, bogey and double bogey from the 10th, the tournament was wide open. Scott became the first player to reach 12 under after a birdie on the 16th but could only par his way home. "It's just disappointing that I didn't win when I held the lead with a few holes to go," said the 30-year-old. "I'm usually a pretty good closer.

I didn't do a bad job but Charl was better. It was an incredible finish. I'm proud of the way I played but I'm disappointed that I didn't get it done when I was right there at the end." Scott's playing partner Day birdied four of the last seven holes, including the last two to jump up to a tie for second with his compatriot. However, he said: "You can't do anything about a guy who birdies the last four holes of a tournament. "If you want to go out and win a tournament, that's how you do it. "Obviously we fell short a little bit but it just shows how good Australian golf is right now." At one stage it had looked like it was going to be Woods's day. The former world number one began the final round seven shots behind but four birdies in the first seven holes hinted at a potential charge up the leaderboard. When he then eagled the eighth hole to get to 10 under and post a front nine score of 31, the momentum seemed to be behind him.

But he squandered birdie chances on the par-five 13th and par-three 16th when it looked like he was about to surge clear and had a good chance of an eagle on the 15th but could only make a birdie as he finished tied for fourth for the second straight year at Augusta. "I got off to a nice start there and posted 31," he said. "And then on the back nine, I could have capitalised some more. "I should have shot an easy three or four under on the back nine and I only posted even. I didn't putt well and hit one loose iron at 13. "[But] this entire weekend I hit it good, so that was a nice feeling. I had to be committed to my spots and I did that all week." His search for a 15th major continues as he looks to chase Jack Nicklaus's record of 18. Australia's search for a first-ever Green Jacket must wait another year. Scott and Day both challenged until the very end to match Greg Norman, who managed three second-placed finishes at Augusta.

Ogilvy made five birdies in a row from the 13th to get to 10 under and tie with Woods and Donald, who birdied four of the last six but then bogeyed the 17th to end any hopes he had of a first major. Donald's fourth place finish sees him move up to third in the world rankings. Reigning champion Phil Mickelson never threatened as he shot 74 to finish well down the field. Lee Westwood shot a closing round of 70, featuring four birdies and a double-bogey at the short 12th after finding water, to finish in a tie for 11th with compatriot Justin Rose, who carded a 68. Ross Fisher finished on four under, with Scotland's Martin Laird a shot further back on his Masters debut. Media playback is not supported on this device Masters final round - best shots of the day Share this page Charl Schwartzel rallies and beats Bill Haas in a playoff Posted: 03/14/16 PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Charl Schwartzel used two big birdies to close with a 4-under 67 and made up a five-shot deficit.

All he needed was a par on the first hole of a playoff Sunday at Innisbrook to ... Charl Schwartzel ready to embrace change Posted: 03/12/14 Charl Schwartzel failed family planning 101 for Masters champions – never risk a delivery date in early April. The first child for Charl and Rosalind Schwartzel is due between April 3-8 – that latter date the Monday of Masters ... Zach Johnson needs an equalizer Posted: 04/05/13 With the exception of Phil Mickelson, there’s only one Masters Tournament champion since 2007 who has won a PGA Tour event following his Augusta win – and he’s won seven of them. That would be Zach Johnson, the 2007 ... Louis Oosthuizen hopes to make more memories Posted: 03/22/13 There is a remarkable simplicity in the way Louis Oosthuizen spontaneously “arrives.” For so long you hardly notice he’s around, and suddenly you can’t take your eyes off him. “You guys don’t know it, but when he’s playing like ...

2011 champ Charl Schwartzel returns to Augusta with more consistency, less pressure Posted: 03/21/13 If favorites are based solely on the facts presented week after week on the golf course, Charl Schwartzel has put together the strongest résumé for green jacket consideration in the world. With the possible exception of American Brandt Snedeker ... Charl Schwartzel out of Masters chase after 75 Posted: 04/08/12 Even Charl Schwartzel doesn’t think he can heat up enough today to challenge for the Masters title, and he’s known for being quite streaky in these parts. The defending champion has dug such a big hole that even breaking – ... Opening round disappoints Charl Schwartzel Posted: 04/06/12 A year after Charl Schwart­z­el took advantage of several late birdie opportunities in a frenzied finish on his way to a green jacket, the reigning Masters Tournament champion felt the opposite in his first competitive round back at Augusta ...

Opening round disappoints Charl Schwartzel Posted: 04/06/12 A year after Charl Schwart­z­el took advantage of several late birdie opportunities in a frenzied finish on his way to a green jacket, the reigning Masters Tournament champion felt the opposite in his first competitive round back at Augusta National ... Schwartzel's menu a hit for Masters champions Posted: 04/05/12 Two-time Masters Tournament champion Ben Crenshaw, who served as the master of ceremonies for Tuesday’s Champions Dinner, said Charl Schwartzel’s South African fare was a hit. “It was wonderful,” Crenshaw said of the menu, which featured South African barbecued filet ... Schwartzel's menu a hit for Masters champions Posted: 04/05/12 Two-time Masters Tournament champion Ben Crenshaw, who served as the master of ceremonies for Tuesday’s Champions Dinner, said Charl Schwartzel’s South African fare was a hit. “It was wonderful,” Crenshaw said of the menu, which featured South African barbecued filet ...

No monkey business on Charl Schwartzel's menu Posted: 04/03/12 Before he played host to the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night, Charl Schwartzel explained one of the exotic sauces on the menu wasn’t as bad as it sounds. For the South African BBQ, Masters Tournament champions could dine on filet ... Defending Masters champion Charl Schwartzel surprised by last year's finish Posted: 04/03/12 Charl Schwartzel didn’t realize he closed the 2011 Masters Tournament with four consecutive birdies. He had bigger things on his mind. “When that putt disappeared on 18, honestly the last thing that went through my mind is that I made ... Players appreciate Charl Schwartzel's final-round feat Posted: 04/03/12 Imagine if one of golf’s superstars had birdied the final four holes to win the Masters Tournament. The buzz might never die. When Charl Schwartzel did it to win the 2011 Masters, it was greeted with amazement. But the appreciation ...

Players appreciate Charl Schwartzel's final-round feat Posted: 04/03/12 Imagine if one of golf’s superstars had birdied the final four holes to win the Masters Tournament. The buzz might never die. When Charl Schwartzel did it to win the 2011 Masters, it was greeted with amazement. But the appreciation ... South African icons different for Charl Schwartzel's generation Posted: 04/01/12 BLAIR ATHOLL, South Africa ­— Charl Schwartzel’s new house overlooks the rolling hills of Gary Player’s family estate. That is about as far as the connection goes between two South Afri­cans who won Masters Tour­naments 50 years apart. For Schwartzel ... Charl Schwartzel's story is the rise of a natural Posted: 03/26/12 VEREENIGING, South Africa — Charl Schwartzel stands in the middle of the 10-by-12 bedroom where he slept for more than 20 years. In the year since he moved out of his parents’ farmhouse, the modest space has been rearranged to ...

Schwartzel enjoys year as Masters champion Posted: 02/21/12 Knowing just how much the folks at Augusta National Golf Club like curve balls, Masters Tournament champion Charl Schwartzel is still waiting on a ruling for his unconventional Champions Dinner request. Charl Schwartzel wants to try something different for the Champions Dinner Posted: 01/20/12 Ask any reigning Masters Tournament champion what they plan to serve at the annual Champions Dinner and the responses are generally vague - meat and potatoes with some kind of twist from their native country or state. Charl Schwartzel wants to try something different for the Champions Dinner Posted: 01/20/12 Ask any reigning Masters Tournament champion what they plan to serve at the annual Champions Dinner and the responses are generally vague - meat and potatoes with some kind of twist from their native country or state. Nicklaus gave Schwartzel tips on how to play Augusta Posted: 04/12/11 On the 25th anniversary of his famous Masters Tournament victory, Jack Nicklaus even played a role in Charl Schwartzel's spellbinding two-shot victory Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club.

Schwartzel's dad didn't miss this victory Posted: 04/12/11 JOHANNESBURG --- It was 12:48 a.m. Monday in South Africa when Charl Schwartzel sealed his first major title with a birdie on the last hole at the Masters Tournament. Schwartzel closes with four birdies Posted: 04/11/11 Someone was going to have to do something special to win what was turning into one of the wildest Masters Tournaments on record Sunday afternoon at Augusta National Golf Club. South Africa's Charl Schwartzel did. His historic finish in the 75th Masters was appropriate because it came on the 50th anniversary of countryman Gary Player's becoming the first international player to win the tournament. Masters Tournament Sunday Timeline Posted: 04/11/11 Schwartzel finishes in style by rolling in a 15-footer for his fourth consecutive birdie, a 66 and a four-round total of 14-under to win his first green jacket.

2011 Masters: Charl Schwartzel Captures the Masters - The New York Times The New York Times Golf |Schwartzel Charges to Victory at Masters Search Schwartzel Charges to Victory at Masters By LARRY DORMAN Charl Schwartzel reacted after making a birdie putt on the 18th hole on Sunday. Credit Matt Slocum/Associated Press AUGUSTA, Ga. — Fifty years to the day after Gary Player, the godfather of South African golf, became the first international player to win the Masters , his countryman Charl Schwartzel won the 75th Masters on Sunday, breaking though a chaotic afternoon shootout by birdieing the final four holes at Augusta National Golf Club. As roars exploded like cannon fire through the pines, saluting eagles and birdies by the seven other players who either held or shared the lead, Schwartzel, 26, a thin man with a muscular game, came from four strokes off the pace with the day’s low round of 66 for 14-under-par 274 . Schwartzel joined his countryman and friend Louis Oosthuizen, the reigning British Open champion , in giving the PGA European Tour all four major championship trophies.

He brushed off challenges from the Australians Jason Day (68) and Adam Scott (67), who finished two strokes back; and from Tiger Woods, who charged with a 67, Geoff Ogilvy (67) of Australia and Luke Donald (69) of England, who tied for fourth at 10 under. Photo Charl Schwartzel received his green jacket from former champion Phil Mickelson after winning the 2011 Masters golf tournament. Credit Shaun Best/Reuters Coolly maneuvering his way through the chaos, Schwartzel hit 16 greens and putted like a machine. Although Woods started all the fireworks , shooting 31 on the front nine to move from seven strokes back to a tie for the lead in eight holes, it was Schwartzel, the unheralded son of a South African farmer, who charged to the championship. Starting with a chip-in birdie at No. 1, Schwartzel seized a share of the lead at 11 under at No. 3 when he holed a sand wedge for eagle from 114 yards.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story “So many roars and so much atmosphere out there,” the soft-spoken Schwartzel said after becoming the third South African to win the Masters, and the first since Trevor Immelman three years ago. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” No one had. Never before in the 75 years of the Masters has a champion birdied the last four holes in a final round , though Jack Nicklaus did play them in four under with an eagle, two birdies and a par in his stirring 1986 win. And if the eight golfers who held or shared the lead at some point during the raucous afternoon did not set a record, they could not have been far off. Photo Adam Scott celebrated sinking a birdie putt on the 14th green during final-round play. Credit Mike Segar/Reuters Angel Cabrera, who finished seventh after a 71, and Bo Van Pelt, who closed with a 70 and tied for eighth with K. J. Choi at 280, rounded out the group of challengers who briefly shared the lead. Rory McIlroy never made it that far .

A 21-year-old star from Northern Ireland, McIlroy bogeyed the first hole and added another bogey at the fifth before making his first — and only — birdie at the seventh hole. He shot a front-nine 37, then dissolved on the 10th hole. He badly pull-hooked his drive between two of the cabins left of the tee, then pitched across the fairway. He pull-hooked his third shot into the trees near the scoreboard left of the green, hit another tree with a wedge shot, pitched on in five and two-putted for a triple bogey. “I thought I even hung in the front nine pretty well,” said McIlroy, who went on to shoot 80 and finished tied for 15th. “I was leading the tournament going into the back nine. Just hit a poor tee shot on 10 and sort of unraveled from there. Sort of lost it at 10, 11 and 12, and couldn’t get it back. Photo Rory McIlroy missed a putt on the 11th hole during the final round of the Masters. Credit Matt Slocum/Associated Press “You know, I’ll have plenty more chances.

I know that it’s very disappointing what happened today. Hopefully, it’ll build a little bit of character in me as well.” It was not so much a character issue as a loss of rhythm in his swing that cost McIlroy his first major championship. And what won it for Schwartzel? A combination of things, from a session with Nicklaus last year during which he gave Schwartzel his mental blueprint for all 18 holes, a tip from Nick Price on playing fast greens, and precision iron play and the best pressure putting over the course of the tournament. He took 28 putts, but the four he pumped in down the stretch were as nerveless as those from his countryman Ernie Els in his prime. Advertisement Continue reading the main story After he made the 15-footer that gave him the green jacket, Schwartzel hugged his wife of seven months, Rosalind; his manager, Chubby Chandler; and his caddie, Greg Hearmon, and thanked everyone from Els to Nicklaus and Player to Oosthuizen. “This year, Nick Price gave me a really good tip, so did David Frost,” Schwartzel said.

“Nick said when he came over, he used to find the fastest putt on every green and practice that, and that’s what I did for the last three weeks. Every tournament I went to, I just practiced the fastest putt I could find, even though they were only five feet, to learn to hit the putts that softly. It really paid off. I felt so good on these greens this week.” Photo Tiger Woods sank an eagle putt on the eighth hole during the final round. Credit David J. Phillip/Associated Press Player, whose 1961 Masters title inspired all the South African contingent of major championship winners who came after him, immediately sent a message to Schwartzel. “I am absolutely delighted for Charl and South Africa,” Player said. “Congratulations and very well done to him, his family and his entire team. That is how you finish like a champion.” It is the second win of the year for Schwartzel, who won the Joburg Open. It gives him all the perks that come with a major — a five-year exemption into the United States Open , the British Open and the P.G.A. Championship and into all the World Golf Championship events.

He is the 10th European Tour member to win the Masters, and the first in 12 years. “It’s obviously the highlight in my golfing career by a long way,” Schwartzel said. “You know, I always thought if there was one that I would win, it would be this one.” A version of this article appears in print on April 11, 2011, on Page D1 of the New York edition with the headline: HE WHO LEADS LAST. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe US Masters Travel Packages - Augusta National Golf Course <a href="">Fill out my Wufoo form!</a> PRIVATE HOMES IN AUGUSTA: (10 - 15 minutes from Augusta National) We have access to a mixture of 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses in Augusta so will be able to accommodate small parties to large groups for the tournament week. The 2 bedroom house comes with 2 tournament badges, the 3 bedroom house comes with 3 tourmament badges and the 4 bedroom house has 4 badges allocated to it. On most occassions we put 4 people in a 4 bedroom house so clients each get their own room for the week.

However if their are couples or clients looking to save costs we could add more people in the houses and the clients could share the badges - ie: go on alternate days. We do have access to more badges too so please enquire with us and we can configure and get you the best possible scenario for your trip. These luxurious homes are serviced daily and stocked with an adequate supply of liquor, beer, soft drinks and light snacks. Masters Private Homes and Augusta National Photos Holidaytime Escapes - Masters Client Testimonials 2 BEDROOM HOUSE: "We arrived back last week but then dashed off to East London for a wedding and am now catching up with mails etc. The Masters was brilliant - even better than our best expectations. Joel and his team were absloutely wonderful. It's an experience Wesley and I are never going to forget ! Thanks so much for making this happen for us." Jan Du Plessis 4 BEDROOM HOUSE: "Hi Doug, Thank you so much for the organization of our trip to the Masters, all I can say is WOW what a worth it trip, the hospitality shown from the team was fantastic, the house was alway clean the fridge was alway stocked with drinks .

It was never a hassle for them to take and fetch us no matter the time of day or evening / some time early mornings they where just superb. Doug, everything from your side was perfect and it was a pleasure dealing with you, thank you. I have been involved in hospitality for 19 years (FIFA, WARWICK, MATCH AND MEGAPRO) and I can assure you that you and your organization are up there with the best. A BIG THANK you" Mark Zeeman 2 BEDROOM HOUSE: "Evening Doug, It was just so amazing, its really lived up to my expectations and beyond! Its every Golfers’ dream to attend The Masters & such an exciting experience to see Golfing Legends around the world, with their families etc. We bought a whole range of Masters branded golfing stuff and bought some special items for our close family & friends. I also got to meet Arnold Palmer and Condelleza Rice, it was just an ”out of body experience”! Thank you for all your assistance." Bongi Nxumalo 2 BEDROOM HOUSE: "Dear Holidaytime Team, we got back yesterday afternoon. Augusta was an amazing experience, everything went extremely well and we enjoyed ourselves.

We were very impressed with the team in Augusta. They gave us excellent service, they were always punctual and on time in everything they did for us. I would like to thank you for assisting us with our memorable Augusta experience. I really cannot complain about anything. Feel free to give me a call should you want to discuss further." Shakes Matiwaza 3 BEDROOM HOUSE: "On behalf of Heather and the grandsons thank you and your team for making our Masters Experience so great. Your team were so friendly and reliable-please convey our thanks! Doug and his team in South Africa were also great and exceeded our expectations. Kind Regards" Robbie Wright Augusta National Golf Club The idea for Augusta National originated with Bobby Jones, who wanted to build a golf course after his retirement from the game. He sought advice from Clifford Roberts, who later became the chairman of the club. They came across a piece of land in Augusta, Georgia, of which Jones said: "Perfect! And to think this ground has been lying here all these years waiting for someone to come along and lay a golf course upon it." The land had been an indigo plantation in the early nineteenth century and a plant nursery since 1857.

Jones hired Alister MacKenzie to help design the course, and work began in 1931. The course formally opened in 1933, but MacKenzie died before the first Masters Tournament was played. Early tournament years The first "Augusta National Invitational" Tournament, as the Masters was originally known, began on March 22, 1934, and was won by Horton Smith. The present name was adopted in 1939. The first tournament was played with current holes 10 through 18 played as the first nine, and 1 through 9 as the second nine then reversed permanently to its present layout for the 1935 tournament. Initially the Augusta National Invitational field was composed of Bobby Jones' close associates. Jones had petitioned the USGA to hold the U.S. Open at Augusta but the USGA denied the petition, noting that the hot Georgia summers would create difficult playing conditions. Gene Sarazen hit the "shot heard 'round the world" in 1935, holing a shot from the fairway on the par 5 15th for a double eagle.

This tied Sarazen with Craig Wood, and in the ensuing 36-hole playoff Sarazen was the victor by five strokes. The tournament was not played from 1943 to 1945, due to World War II. To assist the war effort, cattle and turkeys were raised on the Augusta National grounds. 1960sï¿½1970s The Big Three of Palmer, Player, and Nicklaus dominated the Masters from 1960 through 1978, winning the event twelve times among them during that span. After winning by one stroke in 1958, Palmer won by one stroke again in 1960 in memorable circumstances. Trailing Ken Venturi by one shot in the 1960 event, Palmer made birdies on the last two holes to prevail. Palmer would go on to win another two Masters in 1962 and 1964. Jack Nicklaus Jack Nicklaus emerged in the early 1960s, and served as a rival to the popular Palmer. Nicklaus won his first green jacket in 1963, defeating Tony Lema by one stroke.

Two years later, he shot a then-course record of 271 (17 under par) for his second Masters win, leading Bobby Jones to say that Nicklaus played "a game with which I am not familiar."The next year, Nicklaus won his third green jacket in a grueling 18-hole playoff against Tommy Jacobs and Gay Brewer. This made Nicklaus the first player to win consecutive Masters. He won again in 1972 by three strokes. In 1975, Nicklaus won by one stroke in a close contest with Tom Weiskopf and Johnny Miller in one of the most exciting Masters to date. Player became the first non-American to win the Masters in 1961, beating Palmer, the defending champion. In 1974 he won again by two strokes. After not winning a tournament for four years, and at the age of 42, Player won his third and final Masters in 1978 by one stroke over three players. Player currently shares (with Fred Couples) the record of making 23 consecutive cuts, and has played in a record 52 Masters. A controversial ending to the Masters occurred in 1968.

Roberto DeVicenzo signed a scorecard (scored by playing partner Tommy Aaron) which incorrectly listed a 4 instead of a 3 on the 17th hole. This extra stroke cost him a chance to be in an 18-hole Monday playoff with Bob Goalby, who won the green jacket. DeVicenzo's mistake led to the famous quote, "What a stupid I am." In 1975, Lee Elder became the first African American to play in the Masters, doing so 15 years before Augusta National admitted its first black member. 1980sï¿½2000s Non-Americans collected 11 victories in 20 years in the 1980s and 1990s, by far the strongest run they have had in any of the three majors played in the United States since the early days of the U.S. Open. The first European to win the Masters was Seve Ballesteros in 1980. Nicklaus became the oldest player to win the Masters in 1986 when he won for the sixth time at age 46.

During this period, no golfer suffered from the pressure of competing at Augusta more than Greg Norman. In 1987, Norman lost a sudden-death playoff to Larry Mize. Mize holed out a remarkable 45-yard pitch shot to birdie the second playoff hole and win the Masters. In 1996, Norman tied the course record with an opening round 63, and had a six-stroke lead over Nick Faldo entering the final round. Norman shot a 78 while Faldo scored a 67 to win by five shots (for his third Masters championship). Norman also suffered in 1986 when after birdieing four straight holes, and needing only a par to tie Nicklaus for the lead, he badly pushed his 4-iron approach to 18 and missed his par putt for bogey. In 1997, Tiger Woods won the Masters by twelve shots at age 21, in the process breaking the tournament four-day scoring record that had stood for 32 years. Woods completed his "Tiger Slam" by winning his fourth straight major championship at the Masters in 2001.

The Masters was his again the next year, making him only the third player in history to win the tournament in consecutive years, as well as in 2005 when he defeated Chris DiMarco in a playoff for his first major championship win in almost three years. Recently, the club was targeted by Martha Burk, who organized a failed protest at the 2003 Masters to pressure the club into accepting female members. Burk planned to protest at the front gates of Augusta National during the third day of the tournament, but her application for a permit to do so was denied. A court appeal was dismissed. In 2004, Burk stated that she had no further plans to protest against the club. Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne himself made headlines in April 2010, however, when he commented (at the annual pre-Masters press conference) on Tiger Woods' off-the-course behavior. "It's not simply the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here," Payne said, in his opening speech.

"It is the fact he disappointed all of us and more importantly our kids and grandkids." The 2003 tournament was won by Mike Weir, who became the first Canadian to win a men's major championship, and the first left-hander to win the Masters. The following year, another left-hander, Phil Mickelson, won his first major championship by making a birdie on the final hole to beat Ernie Els by a stroke. Mickelson also won the tournament in 2006 and 2010. In 2011, the tournament was won by South African Charl Schwartzel, who birdied the final four holes to win by two strokes. In 2012, Bubba Watson won the tournament on the second playoff hole. Watson's win marked the fifth time that a left-hander won the Masters in the previous ten tournaments. Prior to 2003, no left-hander had ever won the Masters. The 2013 Masters was won by Adam Scott, the first Australian to win the tournament. Watson won the 2014 Masters by three strokes over Jordan Spieth and Jonas Blixt.

It was his second victory in three years. Traditions Awards The total prize money for the 2014 tournament was $9,000,000, with $1,620,000 going to the winner. In the inaugural year, the winner Horton Smith received $1,500 out of a $5,000 purse. After Nicklaus's first win in 1963, he received $20,000, while after his final victory in 1986 he won $144,000. In recent years the purse has grown quickly. Between 2001 and 2014, the winner's share grew by $612,000, and the purse grew by $3,400,000. In addition to a cash prize, the winner of the tournament is presented with a distinctive green jacket, formally awarded since 1949, and informally acquired by the champions for many years before that. The green sport coat is the official attire worn by members of Augusta National while on the club grounds; each Masters winner becomes an honorary member of the club.

The recipient of the green jacket has it presented to him inside the Butler Cabin soon after the end of the tournament, and the presentation is then repeated outside near the 18th green in front of the spectators. Winners keep their jacket for the first year after their first victory, then return it to the club to wear whenever they visit. The tradition began in 1949, when Sam Snead won his first of three Masters titles. The green jacket is only allowed to be removed from Augusta National by the reigning champion, after which it must remain at the club.

Exceptions to this rule include Gary Player, who in his joy of winning mistakenly took his jacket home to South Africa after his 1961 victory (although he has always followed the spirit of the rule and has never worn the jacket); Seve Ballesteros who, in an interview with Peter Alliss from his home in Pedreï¿½a, showed one of his two green jackets in his trophy room; and Henry Picard, whose jacket was removed from the club before the tradition was well established, remained in his closet for a number of years, and is now on display at Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood, Ohio, where he was the club professional for many years. By tradition, the winner of the previous year's Masters Tournament puts the jacket on the current winner at the end of the tournament. In 1966, Jack Nicklaus became the first player to win in consecutive years and he donned the jacket himself. When Nick Faldo (in 1990) and Tiger Woods (in 2002) repeated as champions, the chairman of Augusta National put the jacket on them. There are several awards presented to players who perform exceptional feats during the tournament.

The player who has the daily lowest score receives a crystal vase, while players who score a hole-in-one or a double eagle win a large crystal bowl. For each eagle a player makes he receives a pair of crystal goblets. The winner of the par 3 competition, which is played the day before the tournament begins, wins a crystal bowl. In addition to the green jacket, winners of the tournament receive a gold medal. They have their names engraved on the actual silver Masters trophy, introduced in 1961, which depicts the clubhouse. This trophy remains at Augusta National; since 1993 winners have received a sterling silver replica. The runner-up receives a silver medal, introduced in 1951. Beginning in 1978, a silver salver was added as an award for the runner-up. In 1952 the Masters began presenting an award, known as the Silver Cup, to the lowest scoring amateur to make the cut. In 1954 they began presenting an amateur silver medal to the low amateur runner-up. Other traditions As with the other majors, winning the Masters gives a golfer several privileges which make his career more secure.

Masters champions are automatically invited to play in the other three majors (the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship (except for amateur winners unless they turn pro within the five-year period)) for the next five years, and earn a lifetime invitation to the Masters. They also receive membership on the PGA Tour for the following five seasons and invitations to The Players Championship for five years. Because the tournament was established by the amateur golfer Bobby Jones, the Masters has a tradition of honoring amateur golf. It invites winners of the most prestigious amateur tournaments in the world. Also, the current U.S. Amateur champion always plays in the same group as the defending Masters champion for the first two days of the tournament. Another tradition is that during The Masters, amateurs in the field are welcome to stay in the "Crow's Nest" atop the Augusta National clubhouse. The Crow's Nest is 1,200 square feet and there is space for five people to lodge there during the competition. Since 1963 the custom in most years has been to start the tournament with an honorary opening tee shot at the first hole, typically by one of golf's greatest players.

The original honorary starters were Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod; this twosome led off every tournament from 1963 until 1973, when poor health prevented Hutchison from swinging a club. McLeod continued on until his death in 1976. Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen started in 1981, and were then joined by Sam Snead in 1984. This trio continued until 1999 when Sarazen died, while Nelson stopped in 2001. Snead hit his final opening tee shot in 2001, a year before he too died. In 2007, Arnold Palmer took over as the honorary starter. Palmer also had the honor in 2008 and 2009. At the 2010 and 2011 Masters Tournaments, Jack Nicklaus joined Palmer as a co-honorary starter for the event. In 2012, Gary Player joined them. The Champions' Dinner is held each year on the Tuesday evening preceding Thursday's first round.

The dinner was first held in 1952, hosted by defending champion Ben Hogan, to honor the past champions of the tournament. At that time 15 tournaments had been played, and the number of past champions was 11. Officially known as the "Masters Club", it includes only past winners of the Masters, although selected members of the Augusta National Golf Club have been included as honorary members, usually the chairman. The defending champion, as host, selects the menu for the dinner. Frequently, Masters champions have served finely prepared cuisine by the Masters chef from their home regions. Notable examples have included haggis, served by Scotsman Sandy Lyle in 1989. and bobotie, a South African dish served at the behest of 2008 champion Trevor Immelman. Other examples include German Bernhard Langer's 1986 Wiener schnitzel, Britain's Nick Faldo's fish and chips, Canadian Mike Weir's elk and wild boar, and Vijay Singh's seafood tom kah and chicken panang curry.

In 1998, 1979 champion Fuzzy Zoeller created a media storm when he suggested that Tiger Woods refrain from serving collard greens and fried chicken, dishes commonly associated with Afro-American culture, at the dinner. The par 3 contest was first introduced in 1960, and was won that year by Snead. Since then it has traditionally been played on the Wednesday before the tournament starts. The par 3 course was built in 1958. It is a nine-hole course, with a par of 27, and measures 1,060 yards (970 m) in length. There have been 73 holes-in-one in the history of the contest, with a record five occurring in 2002. No par 3 contest winner has also won the Masters in the same year. There have been several repeat winners, including Pï¿½draig Harrington, Sandy Lyle and Sam Snead. The former two won in successive years. In this event, golfers may use their children as caddies, which helps to create a family-friendly atmosphere. In 2008, the event was televised for the first time by ESPN.

Until 1983, all players in the Masters were required to use the services of an Augusta National Club caddy, who by club tradition was always an African American male. Indeed, club co-founder Clifford Roberts is reputed to have said, "As long as I'm alive, golfers will be white, and caddies will be black." Since 1983, players have been allowed the option of using their own caddy. The Masters requires caddies to wear a uniform consisting of a white jumpsuit, a green Masters cap, and white tennis shoes. The surname, and sometimes first initial, of each player is found on the back of his caddie's uniform. The defending champion always receives caddy number "1": other golfers get their caddy numbers from the order in which they register for the tournament. The other majors and some PGA Tour events formerly had a similar policy concerning caddies well into the 1970s; the U.S. Open first allowed players to use their own caddies in 1976.

The day after the tournament closes, The Bobby Jones Scholars from The University of St Andrews in Scotland play a four-ball round on the course - the last people to do so before the greenkeepers start the process of repairing and restoring the course to pre-tournament standard. Format The Masters is the first major championship of the year. Since 1948, its final round has been scheduled for the second Sunday of April, with several exceptions. It ended on the first Sunday four times (1952, 1957, 1958, 1959) and the 1979 and 1984 tournaments ended on April 15, the month's third Sunday. The first edition in 1934 was held in late March and the next ten were in early April, with only the 1942 event scheduled to end on the second Sunday. Similar to the other majors, the tournament consists of four rounds at 18 holes each, Thursday through Sunday (when there are no delays).

The Masters has a relatively small field of contenders, when compared with other golf tournaments, so the competitors play in groups of three for the first two rounds (36 holes) and the field is not split to start on the 1st and 10th tees, unless weather shortens the available playing time. After 36 holes of play, a cut-off score is calculated to reduce the size of the field for the weekend rounds. To "make the cut", players must be either in the top 50 places (ties counting), or within 10 strokes of the leader's score. These criteria have applied since 2013. From 1957 to 1960, the top 40 scores (including ties) and those within 10 strokes of the leader made the cut. From 1961 to 2012, it was the top 44 (and ties) or within 10 strokes of the lead. Before 1957, there was no 36-hole cut and all of the invitees played four rounds, if desired. Following the cut, an additional 36 holes are played over the final two days.

Should the fourth round fail to produce a winner, all players tied for the lead enter a sudden-death playoff. Play begins on the 18th hole, followed by the 10th, repeating until one player remains. Adopted in 1976 and first used in 1979, sudden-death was originally formatted for the inward (final) nine holes, starting at the 10th tee. The current arrangement, beginning at the 18th tee, was amended for 2004 and first used the following year. Through 2014, the ten sudden-death playoffs have yet to advance past the second extra hole. Earlier playoffs were 18 holes on the following day, except for the first in 1935, which was 36 holes; the last 18 hole playoff was in 1970. <a href="">Fill out my Wufoo form!</a> <a href="">Fill out my Wufoo form!</a> TESTIMONIALS On behalf of Heather and the grandsons thank you and your team for making our Masters Experience so great. Your team were so friendly and reliable-please convey our thanks!

Doug and his team in South Africa were also great and exceeded our expectations. Kind Regards - Robbie Wright Tel: +27 (0)31 502 4178 | Address: Office 11, Broadlands Office Park, 9 Mountview Close, Mount Edgecombe, 4302 | email: info@holidaytime.co.za © Holiday Time Escapes. All rights reserved | Holiday Time Escapes is part of Scenic Route Trading 180 cc

Question: Which South African golfer won this month's US Masters tournament with a score of 14 under par?
Answer: CHARL SCHWARTZEL